• Minnesota sets new air pollution record, Superior National Forest reports the worst wildfire conditions in 20 years

    ByRishav Kothari

    Record-breaking wildfire smoke has reduced air quality across much of Minnesota, with pollution levels becoming so high that they exceeded the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s routine quality-control limits. The smoke is being generated from wildfires burning across Minnesota and parts of southern Canada. The Superior National Forest is experiencing the worst wildfire conditions in 20 years. Officials warn that hazardous smoke, extreme fire behavior, and additional wildfire growth are expected to continue as crews respond to 15 active fires across the Forest.

  • Aspen Acres Fire destroys 155 structures, three Colorado wildfires burn over 25 000 ha (62 000 acres)

    ByRishav Kothari

    The Aspen Acres Fire destroyed at least 155 structures in Pueblo and Custer counties. This fire, together with Ferris and Gold Mountain fires burned a combined 25 077 ha (61 969 acres) across Colorado by late June 30, 2026. Critical fire weather conditions are forecast to continue supporting rapid fire growth through at least July 3.

  • State of Emergency declared in Utah as Cottonwood Fire grows to largest active wildfire in U.S.

    ByRishav Kothari

    Utah Governor Spencer Cox declared a State of Emergency and temporarily expanded the state forester’s authority to restrict fireworks through July 5, 2026, after the Cottonwood Fire grew into the largest active wildfire in the United States. The fire had burned about 29 000 ha (71 841 acres) in Beaver County and remained 0% contained as extreme fire weather fueled rapid growth across southern Utah on Friday, June 26.

  • Wildfire fatality investigated after resident declined evacuation during Spokane fire

    ByReet Kaur

    What appeared to be human remains were discovered inside a home destroyed by the Upriver Fire in Spokane County, Washington, on June 17, 2026, as investigators examined a property where a resident was reported missing after allegedly declining evacuation orders. The fire destroyed at least 12 homes and forced large-scale evacuations.

  • South Fork Fire grows to 9 350 ha (23 110 acres) in Nebraska, evacuations near Crawford

    ByRishav Kothari

    The South Fork Fire has grown to 9 352 ha (23 112 acres) since igniting about 19 km (12 miles) west of Crawford, Nebraska, on June 9, 2026. The fire has prompted evacuation orders for areas north of Crawford’s city center, Fort Robinson State Park, and the Ponderosa Villa Assisted Living Facility. Highway 20 and Fort Robinson State Park were closed, and Governor Jim Pillen declared a state of emergency as firefighters worked to contain the wildfire.

  • Wildfires caused record losses in 2025 despite having the second-lowest burn area since 2002

    ByRishav Kothari

    A new study found that 335 million ha (828 million ha) burned worldwide in 2025, the second-lowest global wildfire total since 2002 and 16% below the long-term average. Despite that, 2025 became the costliest year on record for insured wildfire losses globally, with more than 300 000 evacuations and over 90 fatalities linked to major fires in Canada, the United States, Europe, and South Korea.

  • Sandy Fire forces evacuations and school closures in Ventura County, California

    ByRishav Kothari

    The Sandy Fire, discovered at around 10:50 local time (LT) on May 18, 2026, has burned more than 526 ha (1 300 acres) across Simi Valley in Ventura County, California, forcing mandatory evacuations for more than 10 000 homes and triggering warnings for thousands more as firefighters battle rapid fire spread driven by dry and windy conditions.